X-periment, Mandarins, Tokyo Square Get Together

 

 

The Greatest Thing

 My Christmas Posting

Tony Fonseca: Tokyo Square

*There's a new world somewhere
They call the Promised Land
And I'll be there someday
If you will hold my hand.
I was thinking what I could post this Christmas season. Not another album from the West nor a Yuletide list of songs from the past.  Combing the vinyls in my little record cupboard I found an LP I had purchased not too long ago.

A group of late 60s and 70s Singapore musicians got together and recorded on Polygram ten songs in praise of God. It was, according to the sleeve back-cover, "a Gospel music adventure to spread His Word through a variety of popular music rhythms." It's no Christmas album but polished enough to be on that special list.  If you can find a copy around it's a great gift for someone on this special occasion.

Derek Danker: The Mandarins

This project together with the 5 locals had inspired 5 female singers who had, "never experienced the rigors of recording ... to lend their lovely voices" for the Lions Studio Polygram Singapore get-together.

This unique encounter had two (Matthew) Mandarins guitarists, two X-periment synthesiser, Fender Rhodes experts and a Tokyo Square percussionist to press songs by Dusty Springfield, Dion DiMucci, Mark Tendergrass and other pop composers from the West.

The result was a one-off gem of a vinyl piece called, He's The One. Wonderful Encounter (front sleeve cover below), by Derrick and Richard Danker, Mervyn and Dudley Nonis and Tony  Fonseka.  The female vocals included contributions from Wendy, Grace, Linda, Judith and Sharon.


Mervyn Nonis: The X'periment

It's a long, long, journey
So stay by my side
When I'll walk through the storm
You'll be my guide, be my guide.

A host of people helped in this project and would include Patrick Cheong, John Herbert and Eddie Seet from Polygram. Nearly twenty other people were involved and according to the sleeve that spoke, they thanked the "Lord for allowing it all to happen."

Finally the choice of songs. The tracks included the big hit, I'll Never Find Another You (New World Somewhere), The Greatest Thing, Welcome to the Family, Daddy others like Centre of My Life, I Put away my Idols, and an original by Mervyn (right), My Song to You (Jesus).

Image from: glowingguitars.com

As is always in local music folk-lore, Singapore 80s usually showcased the 60s and 70s. This recording was done in 1985. That's nearly 30 years ago.

It is a well-thought out and recorded piece.  Vocals by the ladies especially, New World Somewhere could have hit the top charts in the 60s.  Tracks by the guys were similarly well recorded with great voice quality but it would have been convenient for a reviewer if the singer's name was provided after each song for easy identification of artiste.

But if I should lose your love, dear
I don't know what I'd do
For I know I'll never find another you...

A Blessed Christmas to my friends, supporters and readers for a new and peaceful 2014.


Record Front Cover by Courtesy of Polygram Records.

*Lyrics by Tom Springfield: Seekers - I'll Never Find Another You
Images: Blogger's Collection. With thanks to Polygram Records.
Art Direction n Design: Patrick Low n Bernard Holmberg.
Photography: Henry Wong, Patrick Low.
Art Work: Vincent Ng, of Vin n Art.